The Intimidation of Wisdom (1:1-2)

"The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; to know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding." Proverbs 1:1-2

Perhaps you can recall a time when you opened your mailbox and touched your finger to an envelope whose return address was of great importance. A few days after being cited for speeding, a letter from the Department of Motor Vehicles can be very daunting as we run through our minds all the reasons that they might make contact. Occasionally, we receive a letter that makes our heart race and we debate how quickly we should open it.

The Book of Proverbs opens with a similar intimidation. Solomon's reputation precedes him in this text as we open to verse one and ask, "Am I even in the same league as this son of David, this king of Israel to read of his wisdom and understand what he's writing?" And truth be told, he really does lay down the gauntlet of choice for his readers. The first seven verses set forth a most provocative ultimatum which forces his audience to realize that if they want wisdom, then they must read on. His alternative implication is that by not reading on, they will not be wise. A preview of these verses can be imagined this way:

If you want to know wisdom, read on.
If you want to understand what you know, read on.
If you want to be just, read on.
If you want to have good judgment, read on.
If you want to live with your head held high, read on.

Of course, the flip side of this is what Solomon does not say:

If you want to be a fool, stop reading.
If you want to be ignorant, stop reading.
If you want to be unjust, stop reading.
If you want to be a poor judge of information, stop reading.
If you want to live with your head hanging low, stop reading.

Troubling as it is convicting, this is no game to Solomon. He does not treat wisdom as an option and neither does he intend for his readers to take it lightly. The opening verse displays the grandeur of his authorship by the pen of a king. And without hesitation, he moves immediately into verse two with a couple of hard-hitting questions that come in unique form.

"To know wisdom and instruction" is the most deeply penetrating question of every reader. Do you or do you not want to be instructed in knowledge? Or have you already been instructed to the final limit? If you are willing to be given direction and guidance in this rather complicated concept, then again, he insists that you read on.

"To perceive the words of understanding" is a matter of knowing one's nature. It's common to jump on the bandwagon of phrases like, "I understand" or "I get it" because we wouldn't want someone to think that we are deficient in some area, but Solomon is asking his readers to consider just what it is to understand. If you want to know what it means to really know, he insists that you read on.

Standing alone, these verses can often seem rather insignificant because they don't appear to be drawing any conclusions within themselves. However, as we'll see in the next few verses, the poetry of Solomon's ultimatum will result in a much more divine purpose than just his challenge alone. Therefore, my friends, read on.

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
Grilled Cheese Education (1:3)

"To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;" Proverbs 1:3

A professor recently shared with his students the theory of what he called a "Grilled Cheese Education." After teaching for many years, he noted that in the past few semesters, college kids can be likened to a man who goes into a fine restaurant, orders Hibachi Steak, but gladly accepts a grilled cheese sandwich when the food is brought out. Upon receipt of the bill, the man pays in full for a steak that he did not receive or enjoy.

Knowing the meaning behind the professor's words, one student spoke up and said, "We just want the degree so we can get a good job." And as the instructor let his head fall into his hands, the horrible modern view was evident: Few people want to receive instruction, but they all want to reap the benefits and rewards that follow.

We want wisdom, but we don't want to be instructed in it. We want to be just, but we don't want anyone to tell us if we're being unjust. We want to claim that we have good judgment, but we fail to know what it is. We want to stand tall, but we continue looking at the ground. To receive instruction on anything is the only way that a man can actually profit in his end reward.

The "instruction of wisdom" is, as we already know, the capstone of this entire book. For we will discover that all of life is wrapped up in a choice between folly and ignorance or wisdom and grace. Thus, if we are willing to receive instruction unto wisdom, then read on.

The instruction of "justice and judgment" can seem rather obscure depending on how we look at it. Given a different word, we might make a more familiar connection:

"All Scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:" II Timothy 3:16

Solomon's notion of justice and judgment is found in his teaching on righteousness. What is it to be right? How can a man know if what he has said, what he has done, or what he has thought is right? Such instruction comes from the Word of God. If we are to know what it is to be right, to be just, and to exercise good judgment, read on.

The instruction of "equity" rests on a much more personal application. This is not, as many of us would assume, a matter of good financial planning. Quite the contrary, the instruction of equity is about teaching an insecure man to be confident. Insecurities come in the absence of sure knowledge and as a result, many find themselves ashamed by what they do not know. Solomon affirms that if a man wants to stand tall, he should read on.

If we are to share in that stand, then it is our responsibility to be instructed on the wisdom, justice, judgment, and equity that lay the necessary footing. Now is the time to recognize our need for instruction, to anticipate the process, and to accept more than a Grilled Cheese Education.

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
Age of Innocence (1:4)

"To give subtlety to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion." Proverbs 1:4

As the white clouds roll in from behind a storm, I sometimes look westward in the direction of a state where many memories still bring a smile. Driving north on a Florida highway usually means that there is a known destination in mind and those clouds merely pass above my hurried journey. But looking out toward Oklahoma, I recall a time when there was no destination. Along with a friend or two, you might have once found me setting up lemonade stands just north of Tulsa and wandering down to the creek (or "crick" as it's called in the south) to pick up crawdads. With no real knowledge of anything, I was naïve to everything. As they say, "ignorance is bliss."

The reason I sometimes reflect on those earlier days is not because I choose to return to a former state of mind, but instead, because I remember what it was like for life to be so simple. An innocent mind will not, however, remain in that condition forever. Children will always grow into adults, but what they become as adults can either be wise or foolish. The same is true for new believers. And thus, it is with great fascination that we find Solomon directing the weak and vulnerable to read on.

"To give subtlety to the simple" is a preparatory lesson for youth to begin asking questions. The unfortunate problem that we face in this phrase is that "subtlety" usually brings to mind the cunning and craftiness of the serpent.

"Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not each of every tree of the garden?" Genesis 3:1

The moment we think of subtlety in the midst of innocence, we rush to the image of satan and come to conclude that all questions are foolish, misleading, and end in destruction. Quite the opposite, in fact. Subtlety can lead to one of two things: Craftiness or Prudence. The former means that one has the intention of purposeful manipulation while the latter means that one has good sense to ask questions when something is unclear (careful management of received input). Unfortunately, because so many questions in our present day are asked as a means of "baiting" someone into a trap, we identify with the craftiness of satan and tend to fear anyone who does not immediately conform. Youth are easily the most vulnerable to this pressure of conformity because they do not know enough to ask the right questions. Lest we find ourselves crushing the eager questions of a maturing young mind, Solomon asks that these words of wisdom be extended to the youth. And perhaps those who are not so naïve can also take a lesson in being prepared to answer their questions (Colossians 4:6).

"To the young man knowledge and discretion" provides a key to the previous phrase. For it is not craftiness that this wisdom will produce, but prudence (sensibility). Give the Book of Proverbs to a young man and note his response. If, in a final reading, he claims that it was a waste, then he has not truly been reading. If, on the other hand, he hands it back and asks a question or two, then he has indeed taken it in and will likely come back to it at another time. In either case, Solomon is compelled to have a simple mind enriched by the discretion and subtlety that comes with proper instruction.

Perhaps you believe that you are the "simple" recipient of this message. Maybe you have high hopes that your children will grow in sensibility and prudence where you have fallen short. To both of you and all others, Solomon's prescription for wisdom is still the same: Read on… We're only getting started.

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
Wise Leading the Wise (1:5)

"A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels." Proverbs 1:5

Take a few moments to pause and bring to mind a friend, an elder, a father, or a mother to whom you credit wisdom. Few will have difficulty thinking of this individual because they are rare enough not to be forgotten. If you have this person at the forefront of your mind, try picturing them at a desk with two books visible. On their left side is a great novel of literature that they have long enjoyed. On their right side is the Book of Proverbs. Given several hours of free time on this imaginary evening, which book do you see them picking up to read?

Wisdom thrives off of wisdom. I once heard it said that we become the average of the five people we're around the most. This type of teaching is often promoted at "get rich quick" seminars as a means to encourage the poor to "hang out" with the wealthy and perhaps gather the crumbs of financial prosperity. Obviously taken to such an extreme, we can find plenty of fault in the concept, but the original principle is still worthy of consideration. Think of the people you spend the most time with during the week. Do you resemble them in your character, in your mannerisms, or in your choice of words? Husbands and wives sometimes find over the years that they can finish each other's sentences because they think on the same page in almost every respect.

"A wise man will hear" introduces two important questions. Ought a man live with his ears open or closed? and What is it that he hears? To the first, we have our answer in the following phrase. No one can "increase in learning" if they live with their ears turned off. Thus, he who is wise is always listening to both his friends and his opponents (impartial in the hearing, but wise in the discernment of what has entered his mind).

As to the second, there is only a rational answer found in yet another question. Should a wise man hear foolishness? On the one hand, we're quick to say no. On the other hand, how will he know to distinguish between foolishness and wisdom if he has only heard one and not the other? Surely the ability to discern, or even rightly divide, must be based on the input of multiple sources. Thus, we find ourselves at Solomon's intended thought.

"A man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels." We've all heard and seen the phrase, "blind leading the blind." He who is a fool can only lead his follower unto a foolish destination. However, he who is wise can do both. This is a crucial point. To have just one wise counselor is to risk the possibility (not the certainty) of a manipulative guide. To gather several wise individuals around yourself is to diminish the possibility of dangerous knowledge. What's most troubling in this present day, however, is what we brought to mind in the opening paragraph. Those who are wise are difficult to find and even more difficult to know.

"For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counselors [there is] safety." Proverbs 24:6

Most of us have been known to fancy the teachings or the leadership of a man or woman that we find to be wise. And to this end, how many of us would be willing to follow that person into war if they asked us to do so? On this I do not speak of the blood stained fields of revolution, but of the wars we fight amongst ourselves. Have we felt it our duty to align ourselves with one wise man and take up arms against our brothers for their perceived theological error or have we trusted in a multiplicity of wisdom where unity is more likely to be discovered?

Return to that quiet evening we first imagined, but this time consider that the individual at the desk is you. Make your choice and read on.

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
Riddle Me This (1:6)

"To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings." Proverbs 1:6

Some time ago, my wife and I visited a nearby science museum in which there were many puzzles and logic problems to solve. Visitors could find, for example, a set of twenty nails and be asked to figure out how all of them might fit on the single head of a larger nail. On this particular day, one of the local schools had sent their middle school students here on a field trip. As we would ponder over each puzzle, some of the children who had figured out the solution would come up and ask, "Can I show you how to do it?"

More than a century before Solomon, we find the infamous Samson asking a riddle of his Philistine audience that they must solve within seven days (Judges 14:12). They appear willing to hear it (14:13), but after three days give up (14:14). And by the seventh day, rather than accept what they do not know, this sad showing of foolishness is given:

"And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they said unto Samson' wife, Entice thy husband that he may declare unto us the riddle, lest we burn thee and thy father's house with fire:" Judges 14:15

Sure it seems to our gracious minds that this is unnecessarily extreme, but how many of us can quietly testify that we have been angered by what we did not know? As we quickly discover, Samson's wife weeps before him and her sadness "lay sore" upon him so that he tells the answer (14:17). And there we are brought face-to-face with the manipulation of laziness.

To "understand a proverb and the interpretation" is to hear a word of wisdom and ponder both its question and its answer. Most discouraging, of course, is that not all questions have an index of solutions for us to spy out. Sometimes a proverb will gnaw at our minds for weeks and months until we finally have to put it down from the weariness of our study. And then, unexpectedly, we find the answer in the humbling phrase, "I don't know."

The "words of the wise and their dark sayings" are the words of interpreted proverbs and unanswered riddles (Psalm 49:4; 78:2). Samson asked a riddle because it was worthy to test the mental endurance of his hearers. I've often been one to tell riddles at work to pass the time, but more often than not, people crave the answers more than they crave the opportunity to think about the questions. Truth be told, most solutions are found in their original questions if the speaker merely says, "Listen to what I'm saying carefully."

Likewise, Solomon is preparing students for a long list of riddles that they will have to consider, chew on, and eventually answer. If we are to read on, then we must be prepared for such things. We must be willing to think, willing to know, and willing to not know. Therefore, in order to playfully get your mind in gear for a thinking man's journey, ask yourself the following puzzle: What day would yesterday be if Thursday was four days before the day after tomorrow? Depending on when you read this, the answer is unlikely to be today.

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
At Face Value (1:7)

"The fear of the Lord [is] the beginning of knowledge: [but] fools despise wisdom and instruction." Proverbs 1:7

When we imagine the brilliant men of history, it's easy to picture the likes of an Albert Einstein whose hair was so disheveled that he appeared never to sleep or rest his mind. Men of his nature have frequently been accused of thinking too much about things that really ought to be taken at face value. To his credit, much in this world requires deep thought and pondering, but not all requires such intense examination.

Proverbs 1:7 is praised by most commentators and writers as the purpose of Solomon's writing, but I find that there is a humbling truth behind their common conclusion. If the fear of the Lord is the "beginning" of knowledge, then it would follow that knowledge does not lead to the fear of the Lord. The fear of God is not something that we study hard to prove, it simply is what it is amidst our limitations of humanity. He is God and we are not. That alone should give pause.

It is an unfortunate curse of knowledge that many within our dispensationally-minded circles would pull out the phrase "fear of the Lord" and rationalize it as nothing more than a Hebrew requirement of law. Let us not be caught up in the nonsense of hypocrisy by ignoring the words of Paul's own pen. The present Body of Christ is asked to note those who have no fear of God (Romans 3:13-18), to fear the severity of the Lord by the example of Israel (Romans 11:20-22), to submit ourselves to one another in the fear of God (Ephesians 5:21), and even to work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12). Using the Greek word, phobos (or phobia as we think of it today), mention is even made to recognize the "terror of the Lord"(II Corinthians 5:11).

If a man has no fear of the Lord, then he will certainly not obtain knowledge. And if he does not obtain knowledge, then he will have no chance at wisdom. And if he has no wisdom, then he is merely a fool who hates what he has not been willing to receive. May we not become so overly caught up in the details of understanding that we miss the recognition of He who has been merciful. This day and all others, take the fear of the Lord at face value (Romans 14:10-12).

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
Not As I Do (1:8-9)

"My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: for they [shall be] an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck." Proverbs 1:8-9

With the rise in technology, classrooms have been invaded with iPods, laptops, and text messaging. Students can now be found with plenty of distractions to escape from the lecture. There are, however, a few professors and teachers who lay down the "no cell phone" rule from the start. Bitterness spreads from seat to seat, however, when the condemning professor excuses himself for an important call.

The much used "do as I say, not as I do" is condemned by many of our children who look at their parents for what they are not, rather than for who they are. By this I mean to suggest that it is common for people to ignore the instructions given them if the provider does not abide by his or her own rules.

To be sure, Solomon did make many foolish choices in his life, not the least of which was the marrying of many women; a truth to which we'll find he soon discourages. Yet we find that he calls upon his son to hear of instruction regardless. This is crucial. Who is the most likely to have the greatest impact on wisdom if not a man who has also failed miserably? Recall the condemned rich man of Luke 16 who cries out to Abraham from the flames and says that his family and friends will now believe the truth if someone from the dead goes to visit them. The rich man is crying out for an opportunity to tell those he loves about his own error. The wise king Solomon is no less a father when he requests the attention of his son.

Likewise, he points that same child to "forsake not the law of thy mother." Curiously, the statement can also be understood in the reverse: forsake not thy mother in law. A mother is a mother because she has protected you or your spouse from the womb. If she has labored for you both physically and spiritually since your conception, then her instruction is rightfully authoritative. Precious discoveries lay in wait throughout the rest of Proverbs as we unlock the mystery of mothers, wives, and women.

Children receive an "ornament of grace" on their heads when they are able to honorably take the instructions and laws of their parents in the midst of seeing those same parents in error. Again, this is crucial. Our entire understanding about God's gift of grace is bound to the truth that we were not deserving. Neither can a son or daughter find that their parents are always deserving of obedience, but we ought to know that honor is not conditional. Rather, it is essential.

Some of you may rightly see the "chain" around this child's neck as a chain of gold that reflects the social praise of the day. I would suggest a slightly different rendition. Chains are a weight that resemble the burden of subjection and obedience. If a child is honoring to his father and mother amidst any flaw they have, he or she must endure the temporary weight of mandatory law. Thus, what we find in this well-instructed and honorable son is an adolescent balance between law and grace.

Solomon speaks of wisdom while knowing that he himself has fallen short of what is expected. We find the same humility of mind when Paul declared himself the "chief" of sinners (I Timothy 1:15). Fathers who look upon themselves as weak for their failures ought to stand tall lest their children might prey upon them. Wives who know of their husband's error ought to help him stand up. And the two shall be as one before their children.

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
Consenting Adults (1:10)

"My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not." Proverbs 1:10

Righteousness has, more recently, been tagged by the secular world as that which is acceptable before two consenting adults. In other words, if a husband is drawn to another woman outside his marriage and that woman consents, then no one can call it wrong. We might recognize this as the teaching that all truth is relative. Foolishly, many have come to believe that your truth is no longer my truth because we each have our own rendition of what is right and wrong. Such a notion has even extended from consenting adults to consenting children who are praised for their disobedience.

These children are the vulnerable minds that Solomon wishes to warn. Sinners, of which we are all counted equal (Romans 3:23), will invite a child to that which he does not know to avoid. How, then, can he escape the snare of sin if he has no knowledge of it? The king is not asking his son to avoid the hearing of enticing words, but rather, to hear them, identify them, and turn them away. With age and experience, that same son will eventually learn how to steer clear of the original temptation, but not during his youth. An adolescent mind is clear of all things and is thus taught to distinguish between what is good and what is evil. If he is merely taught what is good, he will more easily break to what is evil because he does not recognize it.

For so many of us as parents and teachers, we seek to shield our children from all the dangers of a nearby pack of wolves. When they wander out of our reach and unknowingly approach what they have never seen or been taught, our kids fall prey to every bite and every pain that comes from being eaten alive. On the other hand, for those who have taught their loved ones early, a stronger possibility exists that they will stand in the face of temptation and say, "I do not yield even for a moment." Might they still fail even after we warn them? Indeed. But as they mature from childhood to adulthood, their battles are no longer ours to face.

Teach your children what is right from wrong, what is true and false, what is just and unjust. Then set them at liberty and give them a chance to stand tall. In your absence, they may be found whispering the Scripture, "if sinners entice me, I will not consent." And to your joy, it will be the Word of God that sets them on the path to righteousness (II Timothy 3:14-17).

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
Foreshadowed Traps (1:11-14)

"If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause: Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit: We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil: Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse:" Proverbs 1:11-14

Fathers driven by a love for football can often be found roughhousing with their boys in the backyard or a nearby park. Giving them every possible instruction on how best to play the game, the inevitable day must come when the child steps onto a real field in full uniform and labeled jersey. The grass may be wet, the players may be bigger, and the stadium may swallow the child alive, but the rules haven't changed. He will either grow into the game or find it is not his game to play.

In the verses above, Solomon passes a riddle to his son about the enemy that he is going to face. The king is warning his son against the manipulation of those who would attempt to take his life to the grave, steal his property, and empty out his kingdom of fortune. In other words, the sinner is setting a trap not for a randomly innocent character, but for the king himself.

Read over the passage again carefully and consider whose blood they are lurking to capture. Who is the innocent that they seek to trap? Who do they intend to swallow up in the grave? Whose precious substance and property is most desired in the land? And who holds the greatest spoil worth stealing?

In the age of Solomon there was a very personal issue in play. Several years after the king's death, Rehoboam, his son, lost the unity of his father's kingdom (II Kings 12). Thus, the nation of Israel under Solomon's son was divided into the Kingdom of Israel (spearheaded by Ephraim in the north) and the Kingdom of Judah (aligned with Benjamin in the south). Although he lost the greater kingdom, Rehoboam lived a rather full life with many wives and many children in keeping with his father's actions rather than his instructions.

Aside from the political is a more personal lesson. Indeed it can be said that the appeal of a sinner is the spoil of his promise, but to what do we owe this illusion of promise our attention? Do we not already have the inheritance (Colossians 3:24)? Do we not already have the riches of glory (Ephesians 1:18)? Seems the one and only chance that our enemy has to weaken our knowledge of this truth is to deceptively entice brothers to turn against brothers and thus destroy themselves in the process.

This wisdom was pressing for Solomon and it is pressing for us today. Many who now serve the cause of God's grace are in a civil war with one another. The enemy looks at the success of his entrapment to see that our battles are no longer aimed in his direction, but are instead blindly fought against ourselves. May we not fall into the trap of a battle we are not prepared to face. We are on the field and we have the uniform (Ephesians 6:10-17). Take the hands of your teammates and move forward.

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
Road Runner (1:15-19)

"My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path: For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood. Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird. And they lay wait for their [own] blood; they lurk privily for their [own] lives. So [are] the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; [which] taketh away the life of the owners thereof." Proverbs 1:15-19

Soon there will come a day when the phrase "Road Runner and the Coyote" will make absolutely no sense to anyone. That day is not today, however. Either as adults with our children or as children ourselves, we've all seen an episode or two in our lifetime. We've seen the coyote drop bombs, fall from every cliff, or hop into a pair of roller skates to chase a bird. And every time, our laughter comes naturally at the expense of his losing battle. The coyote will simply never catch the road runner.

With every chase, our amusement is entertained not by the speed at which the runner runs, but with the ignorance by which the sly animal operates. Speaking to a much more real audience, Solomon directs his son to avoid the road altogether. He says to "walk not" where the sinner walks, neither should he place a foot in their "path." For in each hunt, the sinner does not care if he catches you or the person behind you. They merely spread their nets "in the sight of any bird." Oddly enough, the vast majority of birds know to fly around such a foolish net.

What you may find disappointing is that the design of the Road Runner series, while very much amusing, was intended to draw sympathy for the enticer of schemes. Notice that in every image, the coyote is scrawny and clearly in need of something to eat. Thus, his efforts are seen as necessary while the potential victim is portrayed as silly and rather arrogant for the constant escapes. In a sense, we WANT the coyote to catch the Road Runner. This would, to us as the viewer, seem the only fair answer to his many plots. If he can catch the bird just once, perhaps we will be satisfied that he did so. But taken to its greater truth, if the Road Runner is caught, the show is over.

"Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the WILES of the devil." Ephesians 6:11

Although we may continue to find ourselves sympathetic to the character of Wile E. Coyote, it is the devil who is most "wily" in his methods (ironically, "wiles" comes from the Greek word METHODeia). At the expense of earlier humor, the devil's cunning is not a cartoon. It is not fiction. It is not legend. And it is not something imagined. If he catches you, he will destroy you and everyone around you (I Corinthians 5:1-5).

Solomon has made it clear that the enticer lays in wait for his "own blood," but as we already saw, he will do everything to bring his enemy down with him. He is greedy. He is sly. He is cunning. And if he can trap you, then he can "taketh away the life of the owners." Our enemy does not just want us, he wants our family, our friends, our loved ones, and everyone that we come into contact with. Henceforth, if you are already playing the cat-and-mouse game with the devil, for the sake of your brothers and sisters in Christ, take your foot off the path.

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
She Talks Too Much (1:20-21)

"Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the street. She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, [saying]," Proverbs 1:20-21

Ten-year old Sarah came home one day to hand her father the report card she had received. He pulled it out of the envelope to find that there was a note attached. The child's teacher had written, "Sarah is a smart little girl, but she has one fault. She talks too much during class. I have an idea which I am going to try that may break her of this habit." Sarah's father signed the report and resealed the envelope. The following day when the teacher opened it, she found a reply from the father, "Please let me know if your idea works so that I can use it on my wife."

Both secular and Christian men alike have consoled one another on the false conclusion that a female voice is better kept to itself. Surely perpetuating the illusion that she is merely to be seen and not heard, men find it easier to view her as an object than the very "help meet" God created her to be on his behalf (Genesis 2:18). One of the greatest riddles in this book is that "wisdom" is consistently represented as a feminine noun. In other words, wisdom is not something masculine or "manly." This alone ought to raise some eyebrows.

"Wisdom crieth without" may seem an odd phrasing to us, but it more simply indicates that her voice is not an "inside" or "hushed" voice. Such wisdom cannot be kept in a basement or locked up in a closet, but must go outside to be heard. "She uttereth her voice in the street" furthers that idea by saying that wisdom does not merely walk outside of her own home to speak, but that she is mobile.

When wisdom finds herself in the "chief place of concourse" and in the "openings of the gates," she is not afraid to walk right into the very center of public life. "In the city she uttereth her voice" because it needs to be heard and she knows it. This is not, by contrast to the movements of the 20th century, a voice crying out for equal rights. She is not speaking because of what she herself lacks, but because of what everyone else fails to realize they need. They need her.

With a voice that begins in the home, goes out into the street, and walks directly into the heart of the city, wisdom makes herself known. Whether her household, her neighbors, or her countrymen will hear her, such concerns are a primary subject of Proverbs. Hardly a man of good conscience can stand to ignore the voice of wisdom. He may declare that she talks too much, but I am compelled by the Word to announce that she is not heard enough.

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
Ignorance is Bliss (1:22)

"How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?" Proverbs 1:22

Weeping with words from the halls of Cambridge University in 1742, 26-year-old Thomas Gray poured out his sorrow into a poem that closed with these most memorable words that made him famous: "Ignorance is bliss." His hundred-line "Ode on a Distant Prospect of Eton College" followed the death of a good friend and managed to sink into the fabric of our minds. When we face troubling situations, we look at those who are free from our troubles and think, "How fortunate they are. They don't have to deal with the things that I know. They don't have to endure my sorrow and my tears."

Such thoughts cause us to wonder whether "the simple" should really grow out of their simplicity. Why should a child "mature" if he is only going to find things that discourage him? Why should a child "grow up" if he is only going to face the death of a friend or the unexpected loss of a parent?

But consider the alternative. Children who live in ignorance tend to "tease" and "mock" those that they do not understand. Two young boys sitting in a restaurant are more likely to giggle at the handicap of a nearby woman than two adults who are cautious with their eyes and their words. Why do they laugh? Why do they snicker? Surely it is not because they have knowledge of another's circumstance, but because they ignorantly "delight in their scorning." Surely this is not bliss.

Simplicity leads to scorning and scorning leads to greater foolishness that rejects what it does not know. Thus, it is wisdom who asks the most important question of her audience. How long will you prefer that condition? How long will you choose to laugh at the infirmities of another you do not know? If simplicity, scorning, and foolishness is what feeds your daily delight, then wisdom foreshadows a miserable existence. If ignorance is bliss, then bliss is its own handicap.

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
The Turn (1:23)

"Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you." Proverbs 1:23

Readers turn pages. Seasons turn colors. Men turn over a new leaf. The word "turn" has about as many meanings as there are pennies in a dollar. If you're near a dictionary, pull it off the shelf and "turn" to the word "turn." You'll find that it has more definitions than nearly all other words in its alphabetic category. With so many uses of this popular verb, it's important to clarify what wisdom is truly asking of her audience when she says, "turn you at my reproof."

Reproof is a variation of the more familiar "reprove." When we "prove" someone, we examine whether they are true or false (I Thessalonians 5:21). Thus, to REprove is merely to investigate again with greater intensity. But what happens when we are the ones being proved? What happens when we are the ones being examined? Are we somehow above reproof?

"Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my reins and my heart." Psalm 26:2

Grace students and teachers are fond of II Timothy 2:15 because of its emphasis on the right division and proper handling of God's Word. Yet, how often do we find ourselves believing that we are above the "approval" that the same verse speaks? If a man teaches something from the Word, how is the listener to know if it is true except that he be tried by the very same Word?

Only in the acceptance of reproof does wisdom say, "I will pour out my spirit unto you" and "make known my words unto you." (This should not be mistaken with the Spirit poured out prophetically in Joel 2:28-29 and fulfilled in Acts 2:17-18.) The spirit of wisdom is a very real, very present, and very timeless treasure that even the Apostle Paul prays for within the Body (Ephesians 1:17).

If you desire knowledge, make the turn. Wisdom is worth the reproof.

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
The Morning After (1:24-26)

"Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; but ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;" Proverbs 1:24-26

Soon after the presidency of Jimmy Carter came to a close, young and old alike were brought face to face with a new phenomenon. Music TeleVision was praised by young people who found it fascinating while the older generation condemned it for the dangers that it was likely to produce. Although the "music video" idea has been adapted in churches and ministries abroad, few need to reflect on the vast moral boundaries that have been destroyed since MTV was introduced on August 1, 1981. Duran Duran, one of the first bands to synthesize their way into the Top Ten charts had these famous lyrics from 1982: "Don't say a prayer for me now, save it till the morning after."

Children were indeed preyed upon by the multi-media world, but words such as these became a statement that still rings heavy among the procrastinators of unbelief. "I'll get around to it tomorrow." But what happens when tomorrow is their end?

Wisdom prophesies of a time when the "call" will be "refused," a time when the "outstretched hand" will be disregarded, and a time when "counsel" and "reproof" will be "set at nought" or refused. Every aspect of this contempt is to be carefully noted as relating to the nation of Israel, rather than the Body of Christ. Refusal of the "call" is foretold in Jeremiah 35:17, disregard of the "outstretched hand" proves God still merciful in Isaiah 9:12, and refusal of the Lord's "counsel" agitates Him in Isaiah 30:1. These references can hardly be exhaustive or implicit because there is so much unaddressed, but the warning of our primary passage ought to highlight, more than anything, the risk that Israel takes in her historic audacity. They who are lost in the present day will fare no better.

We ought to be rather terrified of the statement that wisdom would "laugh" at the "calamity" of they who refused for so long. What's worse, the image of God "mocking" their sudden fear ought to bring chills.

"The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming." Psalm 37:13

The children of unrighteousness may well ask for delayed prayers and Blackberry faith, but when the morning cometh, only the Lord will have the last laugh.

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
The Empty Whirlwind (1:27-28)

"When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me;" Proverbs 1:27-28

Oklahoma tornadoes can often rise up within minutes of a storm causing businesses and schools to hunker down and follow the rules of self-preservation. Years ago, I recall being asked to get under my desk with my hands wrapped around my knees. Long before the cell-phone age made it simple enough to check on a passing disaster, teachers and school administrators would have to evaluate the conditions themselves. Believing that the bulk of the whirlwind had faded, many of the children, myself included, plastered ourselves to the double doors that faced the playground to see what we could see. My memory brings to mind a faded yellow sky with scattered objects all across the neighboring road. All was quiet. All was empty. And we all felt a chill in the warmth of that spring day.

We can hardly appreciate the grace of God that we've been given without also acknowledging the awful image of desolation, destruction, whirlwinds, and worst of all, a place where God is no longer listening. The desolation of Israel is prophesied on many occasions, but tends to be most remembered for Christ's words in Matthew 24:15. The whirlwind, however, has a more far-reaching implication. We see Elijah carried to heaven in the midst of a whirlwind (II Kings 2:11), we see God speaking through a whirlwind (Job 38:1), but more strikingly, we see that God uses the whirlwind to scatter Israel among the nations so that when they call, He will not hear them.

"Therefore it is come to pass, [that] as he cried, and they would not hear, so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the Lord of hosts: But I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations whom they knew not. Thus the land was desolate after them, that no man passed through nor returned: for they laid the pleasant land desolate." Zechariah 7:13-14

Surely the terror of this empty whirlwind (a place where the Father of mercies is no longer listening) leaves us safely reminded that our connection has not been broken. The line is still open when we call (Romans 10:12-13). And to they who "call on the Lord out of a pure heart" (II Timothy 2:22), may they know grace and peace both today and forevermore.

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
Don't Tell Me (1:29-30)

"For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord. They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof." Proverbs 1:29-30

Just about every one of us have heard the old adage that says, "What you don't know can't hurt you." Pausing to consider that statement, we can't help but disagree. If a soldier doesn't know that his enemy is creeping up, the danger still exists. The absence of knowledge (ignorance) is not exactly a safer place than the fullness of knowledge. In fact, quite the opposite. Now imagine, given the opportunity to know something about his enemy, this particular soldier says to his informant, "Don't tell me, I don't want to know."

For those of us who thirst for understanding, this type of nonsense goes against everything we stand for. Although we are not among those who "hate knowledge," it is important to recognize that such men have always been around. Instead of saying, "I don't want to know," their modern words include, "Don't tell me, let me guess."

Such men live on theories rather than verifiable facts and absolute truth. This can be clearly seen by the absurd integration of evolution into our elementary classrooms. No man of Darwin can prove their theories and yet we find such theories at the heart of public education. Those who live on the heels of every random opinion most certainly have no "fear of the Lord." Given the "counsel" of the Word of God, they would refuse it as nothing of value. And upon being questioned with "reproof" by the very same counsel, they would mock the very questions they are asked.

There is a reason why such characters will one day call out to the ear of wisdom and find a cold shoulder. God will not laugh at man's calamity except their be men who once had every opportunity to know the truth and turned away at each moment. If someone you love has a tendency to turn their back on knowledge, take advantage of every door that they leave open. God's desire is that all men be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (I Timothy 2:4). Yours are the feet that come preaching what they need. Hands may still be raised to hold you off with words like, "Don't tell me" or "I don't want to know." Stand on the solid foundation of God's Word and tell them anyways.

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
Let Us Eat (1:31-32)

"Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them." Proverbs 1:31-32

Storytelling and modern application can have its warm benefits, but sometimes one proverb gives necessary attention to another. Read the verses above and then continue by surveying the words of King David in Psalm 49:

"[[To the chief Musician, a Psalm for the sons of Korah.]] Hear this, all [ye] people; give ear, all [ye] inhabitants of the world: Both low and high, rich and poor, together. My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart [shall be] of understanding. I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp.

"Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, [when] the iniquity of my heels shall compass me about? They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; none [of them] can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him: (For the redemption of their soul [is] precious, and it ceaseth for ever.) That he should still live forever, [and] not see corruption. For he seeth [that] wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others. Their inward thought [is, that] their houses [shall continue] forever, [and] their dwelling places to all generations; they call [their] lands after their own names. Nevertheless man [being] in honor abideth not: he is like the beasts [that] perish. This their way [is] their folly: yet their posterity approve their sayings. Selah.

"Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling. But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah.

"Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased; For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him. Though while he lived he blessed his soul: and [men] will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself. He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light. Man [that is] in honor, and understandeth not, is like the beasts [that] perish."

Whether a man be wise or foolish, they both face the same death. He that has received the "fruit of his own way" cannot bring to eternity what he possesses outwardly. He that has "turned away" wisdom's counsel in favor of his own counsel ("devices") will "prosper" as a fool to his own destruction. Only the "inner house" shall continue forever. Within the house of every believer is a potential feast of sincerity and truth (I Corinthians 5:8). The table is set. Let us eat from the fruit of the Lord's way.

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
Daddy's Lullaby (1:33)

"But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil." Proverbs 1:33

In 1997, Peter Penrose emerged onto the music scene with lyrics meant to warm the soul and calm the spirit. His song, "Safe in Your Daddy's Arms" appeared on a childhood lullaby album called, "Sing Me to Sleep." At each hearing, one could picture the silhouette of a father rocking his crying infant in the darkness of night while the rain fell outside. As though singing to his own daughter, Penrose whispered these touching words:

"Let the wind blow. Let your cares go. You're safe in your daddy's arms. Let the rain fall. And through it all, you're safe in your daddy's arms. Safe. Safe. In my embrace, you're safe in your daddy's arms."

The simple hope of this gentle father was that his children would hear his soft voice and know that they were safe.

During the recent holiday, I was fortunate to have the opportunity of holding my newborn nephew after he had woken from a nap. As the family looked on, my arms served as a temporary cradle. The instinctive tone of my voice became soft as he whimpered. When the moment was over and he returned to his parents, I was reminded of how comforting it is for a child to know the voice of his mother and father.

Although we do not hear the audible voice of God as men once did in ages past, His precious Word has been given us that we might know the gentle comfort and peace that He offers us as an alternative to the ways of the world (Romans 10:17). Through His Word, we know beyond the shadow of a doubt that our God is a God of comfort and a God of consolation (II Corinthians 7:6-7, Romans 15:5). When we are weak and in need of rest, He is our strength and our shelter (II Corinthians 12:10).

This closing verse of Solomon's preamble to wisdom is probably the most soothing. Everything prior has been written as a near ultimatum for learning wisdom, but here we find words of warmth. He who "hearkens" unto wisdom shall "dwell safely." Likewise, where safety resides, so does peace and quiet. This is a great edification. Wisdom is, by its very design, the instrument of the heart and mind that leads to peace in knowledge. And once a man has found the peace that "passeth all understanding," Philippians 4:7-9 says that he has the company of truth, honesty, justice, purity, love, reputation, virtue, and praise. For such an amazing lullaby of safety, may we all think on these things and find peace.

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
Caller ID (Review of Proverbs 1)

With every ringtone and vibration of our cell phones and home phones, we each have the same knee-jerk reaction. Almost without thinking anymore, we look down to the Caller ID. If it's someone we want to talk to, we answer. If it's someone we don't want to talk to, we let it keep buzzing. We make thousands of decisions about how we want to spend our time and any number of calls can take us into any number of conversations.

The first chapter of Proverbs allowed us to get a foretaste of who wants our attention. Wisdom is the voice on the other end of the line, but she can be intimidating, humbling, and even complicated (1:1-6). Given the chance, wisdom will warn you of the dangers you didn't see coming (1:7-19). Ignored, wisdom will laugh at you, mock you, and even leave you lonely (1:20-30). But heard long enough, wisdom will provide nourishment, comfort, and peace (1:31-33).

You've seen the ID, now answer the call. Wisdom is about to begin a conversation and we all need to be on the receiving end.

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
NEXT